Notes and Gleanings. 373 



wanted, trees worked on the paradise stock are better, for they fruit earher, 

 thrive where the crab is unhealthy, produce finer fruit, and can be grown in less 

 space. The paradise stock is raised from layers ; and its growth is not so 

 free as that of the crab, which is raised from seed. The paradise stock has 

 its roots near the surface ; and these do not descend so quickly in bad soil as 

 those of the crab, which, from its very nature as a seedling, roots deeply ; and 

 in the case of hot, light, shallow soils, the crab stock causes canker in the trees 

 worked upon it, whole branches continually dying oflf. On the crab, the trees 

 are not more healthy' than on the paradise stock : for what suits one suits the 

 other ; with this difference, tliat the paradise lives where the crab will not. For 

 instance, I have some pyramids on the paradise stock, also on the crab, about 

 ten years planted : those on the crab are cankered, and produce fruit as much 

 " pitted " as the branches are spotted with canker ; whilst those on the paradise 

 stock bear their half-bushel of fruit without speck or crack. The soil is a shal- 

 low loam over gravel. There is no difference in the culture, and yet there is a 

 great difference in the results. A good top-dressing of manure is quickly con- 

 sumed by the trees on the paradise ; but the roots of those on the crab have gone 

 too far down. These trees are seven feet high, and five feet through. — 

 English Journal of Horticulture. 



Sowing and Culture of Cyclamens. — Who does not love and admire 

 cyclamens ? And they deserve to be admired, not only for their beauty, but 

 because they are as easy to grow from seed as the commonest of annuals. 



Having a few old plants in good bloom in March, and wishing to increase my 

 stock, I placed them on a shelf near the glass in an airy greenhouse, keeping 

 them dry rather than wet ; and by August 1 had plenty of pods full of good seeds, 

 ripening at different times. I visited the plants every afternoon, taking care not 

 to gather the pods before each had partially burst ; and they were then carefully 

 packed, and put away until the time of sowing, — an operation which I perform 

 according to the following directions : Early in March, prepare six-inch pots by 

 three-parts filling them with drainage : over this place a good layer of moss, and 

 above the moss half an inch of loam, leaf-mould, and silver sand passed through 

 a sieve, using the roughest for the bottom. Make the surface firm ; place the 

 seeds, which should previously be soaked for twenty-four hours, in milk-warm 

 water, about a quarter of an inch from each other, and cover them very lightly 

 with silver sand ; water gently through a very fine rose, always using warm 

 water, or that from which tlie chill has been taken off; place a piece of slate or 

 glass over the pots, and set them in a warm, close cucumber or cutting frame. 

 In a month, the seeds will vegetate ; and, when this takes place, the seedlings 

 must not be allowed to become dry. 



When the seedlings are large enough to handle, pot them in small thumb-pots 

 in turfy loam, chopped moss, and a little silver sand, using plenty of drainage ; 

 return them to the frame for a week or two, keeping them near the glass, and 

 watering them very carefully. At the end of that time they will want more air, 

 and a little shading will be necessary in very bright days. The plants must not 

 be placed out of doors, but should be encouraged in the greeniiousc ; and, when 



